The Story

There is a new book out with old stories in it.  This new book is full of selections from the New International Version of the Bible.  The new book is simply called 'The Story'.   I have downloaded it onto my Kindle Fire and have started reading it.  I am certain I will also have to buy the book because I have a feeling I may be underlining some things as well.

What is this new book about?  The Story is the Bible as one continuing story of God and His people.  It starts with 'Creation' and ends 31 weeks later with 'The End of Time'.   I encourage you to pick it up, download it, get your hands on a copy, and read it.  I think it is out on audio too if you don't like to read.  Max Lucado and Randy Frazee put this book together and share that each story reveals the God of grace - the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for His people is so great that it culminated in the sacrifice of Jesus, His only Son, to atone for our sins.  Yeah, yours and mine.

The book is set up to read just like you are reading a novel, but it isn't an ordinary story - it is the story that, if you will let it, will change your life.  I'm looking forward to reading it completely, and I hope that you will choose to join me on this journey and read it as well.  In fact, I DARE you to read it.  You will accept my dare, unless you are really afraid it just might change your life.  Do you accept my DARE?

Speaking of dares - isn't that how we grew up - daring people to do such and such - and being dared ourselves?   I was sharing a story last night with my neighbors about a dare I accepted in fun.  No, it wasn't a bad thing, and I enjoyed doing it, but I probably would not do it now.  This was 30 years ago!  What did I accept a dare on?  You may find it amusing.

I was single at this time and worked for a company in Indiana.  It was a very small company (less than 25 employees) and we all were very close knit from the President to the person who worked in the warehouse.  We had a huge sales meeting coming up and I knew the salesmen would be coming in for the meeting and I was to pick up a couple of them at the airport.  We all had joked around about me wearing a mini skirt (which I did not own).  I won't say I was conservative then, but I was professional at work.  I was 'dared' to wear a mini skirt.  I told them not to dare for me I would do just that!  The meeting was the next morning so they probably thought they were 'safe' in the dare - where would I find one on such short notice?   They 'double-dared' me. 

So what did I do?  I went home and found some material I had on hand.  It was a slate gray color.  I did sew at that time so I managed to create a wrap style mini skirt that night.  A close friend loaned me a silk long-sleeved blouse to wear with it.  Complete the outfit with hose and high heels (please remember I was young, single, and had a size 5 figure!!) and I was looking good!  I wore it to work the next day.

I was nervous, for it was out of character for even me.  At one point the executive vice president asked me to stop at my apartment and change on the way to the airport.  Then he came back in and said he knew I had done it only on the dare so just for the day it was ok.  Then he came in later with a sheet and asked if I needed it.  We all had a good laugh over it and I even had a couple photos taken with the President of the company!  We were friends, this was innocent fun.  I don't recall ever wearing the skirt again.  But they learned not to dare me to do anything like this again!

Why did I accept the dare?  Because it was harmless and fun.  The only tough part was that was my and Tom's first fight.  We had only started seeing each other and when I told him about the dare on the phone (he lived in Iowa), he forbid me to wear it.  I defied him and did it anyway.  He got over it.  Like I said, it was a harmless fun-thing to do.

Just like me putting this dare out to you to read The Story with me.  It is harmless, you might actually learn something you didn't remember or realize before, and it will be fun reading it with others.  Get your children involved by reading The Story to them, a little each night or each week.  Talk about it.  Understand their viewpoint of what they read or hear.  Interact with your children, your spouse, and make it a discussion time.  You can actually have conversation with your teenagers!!

I guess I shouldn't say it is harmless.  It could change your life.  But, that would be your choice to make.

So what are you going to do?  I double-dare you - read The Story with me starting August 19th.  Yes, you have plenty of time to get the book.   If you would like to take it a chapter at a time, North Hills Church in Phoenix, AZ is going to do the series starting on August 19th.  You can listen to the messages online as well as read along.  See, you have no excuse not to accept my dare.



Blessings!